Getting 9.01V at D3

[pauldjagger]

I've just completed building the IceTube my wife bought me for my birthday back in August. I assembled the whole clock before testing (silly) and found that the clock was inoperative once assembled. Now armed with the wisdom of hindsight I've carried out the three voltage tests indicated in the assembly instructions and find that I get 9.01V across D3. No idea what the cause may be, I've checked all the components for correct insertion and gone over the soldering with a magnifying glass - all seems to be correct.

Any ideas?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Are you hearing a beep at power up?

Post some photos of the front & back of the boards and we'll look for any assembly issues.

[pauldjagger]

There is no 'beep' or indeed any other indication of life in the IceTube aside from the various voltage tests. The tube certainly hasn't released its magic white smoke or anything dramatic / obvious like that.

I have attached a couple of photos as requested.

Top Side

DSC_0001.jpg (125.75 KiB) Viewed 2334 times

Under Side

DSC_0004.jpg (119.28 KiB) Viewed 2334 times

[adafruit_support_bill]

On the back of the smaller tube board, there should be a 4-digit number. What is the number on yours?

[pauldjagger]

The 4 digit number on the PCB for the tube is 5010 (preceded by a '03').

[adafruit_support_bill]

We have had some problems with boards from the 5010 series. We got rid of all that we could find, but it looks like yours was purchased back before we discovered the problem.

The problems are mostly due to missing grounds and some have managed to get them up and running with some diagnostic work and some jumpers. You are welcome to poke around more with this one if you like. But if you contact support@adafruit.com and tell them you have a 5010 series Ice Tube, we can ship you a new kit.

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

[pauldjagger]

Ah - that would explain the mystery! Thanks, I'll contact support@adafruit.com, as it happens I was about to place an order for another item in any case.

Much appreciated.

[pauldjagger]

I received my replacement Ice Tube and made up the PCB. I now get a 'beep' as soon as I power on the circuit (yippee). Since the replacement kit didn't include a new tube, but it did include the smaller PCB to which the tube is to be soldered I'm not clear on whether I am supposed to de-solder the tube from the 5010 marked mini-PCB and re-solder to the new mini-PCB?

I also note that the tube now has a crystalline white frosting at one end (see photo). Is this a problem?

[adafruit]

just reuse the old tube, it looks fine

[pauldjagger]

Ok, plugged the tube in with the old 5010 mini-PCB and... I get a 'beep' and can hear a 'click' whenever I press one of the configuration buttons but no illumination of the tube. Any suggestions?

[adafruit]

hm! can you post another nice piccy of the NEW pcb you made up? also the voltages when the tube isnt in?

[pauldjagger]

Ok, voltages are : 11.3V, 4.7V and ... 16.1V!!!

Top

DSC_0002.jpg (128.85 KiB) Viewed 2044 times

Bottom

DSC_0004.jpg (139.28 KiB) Viewed 2044 times

[adafruit_support_bill]

Ok, voltages are : 11.3V, 4.7V and ... 16.1V!!!

Where exactly are these voltages measured?

On the solder side, it looks like a few of your joints are a little solder starved. There are a couple that look like they have not flowed well onto the solder pad too. Re-touch any suspicious looking joints with a clean, hot soldering iron.

[pauldjagger]

Ah, good question! The voltages were measured at the points, and in the sequence defined in the online assembly instructions. I will scan the PCB for solder starved joints and resolver them.

Any other suggestions would be welcome.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Are you using the supplied 9v adapter? 11.3v is quite a bit high for that.
4.7v is the bare minimum output for the 5v adapter. This is curious considering that the input is on the high side.
And just to confirm: The 16.1v is measured with the VFD chip installed but the tube removed?